Trimetazidine provides protection against diabetic polyneuropathy in rats via modulation of soluble HMGB1

The aim of this study was to evaluate the neuroprotective efficacy of trimetazidine (TMZ) in a diabetic neuropathy model of the sciatic nerve.

We performed intraperitoneal (IP) single-dose streptozotocin (STZ) injection for a diabetes mellitus neuropathy model in 24 rats; 8 rats were in the control group, and no chemical administration was performed. 24 diabetic rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: Group 1 rats (n = 8; diabetes and saline groups) were given 1 ml/kg saline treatment. Diabetes and trimetazidine (TMZ)-treated rats (n = 8) were given TMZ 10 mg/kg/day i.p. in Group 2. Group 3 rats were given TMZ 20 mg/kg/day by i.p. for 4 weeks. At the end of the study, EMG and inclined plane testing were used, and blood samples were taken.

Amplitudes of CMAP increased significantly in the TMZ treatment group when compared with the group that had been given saline treatment. The latency of CMAP was significantly shortened in the TMZ treatment group as compared to the saline treatment group. When compared to the saline treatment group, 10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg TMZ treatment significantly reduced HMGB1, Pentraxin-3, TGF-beta, and MDA levels.

We demonstrated the neuroprotective effect of TMZ on diabetic polyneuropathy in rats via modulation of soluble HMGB1.